trust no client

S

steev'sHVX

Well-known member
ive worke with this client a few times before and I felt like I gained trust with him over the time we have worked together. recently I I'd a video for him which he says now I'd going to be on MTV. not anymore! he doesn't wanna pay full price. and I'm not gonna make the clean version. another nightmare client. I always hve invoiced him but the problem is I gave him the video beofre he paid thinking I could trust him since he really like the video and concidering I only charged him 300!!!!! serious don cheapo! he said I told him 160. which I did for just filming then he complained how I shouldn't charge him for editing since he told me what he wanted. so we settled with 250 which I probly wot see considering that he doesn't want to work with me anymore. goodluck tryna find somelse to do a video for 300. n thts last time I charge that much it really shows who's willing to pay. so anyways how can I prevent this from happening again besides not giving him the video before he pays. where can I find a contract or some kind of documentation that will let them know I'm serious about gettin paid. if I wasn't I woodnt do unknown rappers videos.
 
None of these are the client's fault. They're doing what clients do, looking after their own interests, not yours.

That's why people have contracts, get deposits, write proper business plans, and do all of the other myriad of things required to run an effective business. None of this is personal, its business.

I'm sure if you put together a proper business plan, you'd see almost immediately when doing your market research, producing for startup musicians is a horrible market sector. As a group they have less money than you do. Exceptions to the rule don't have enough frequency to make the market viable. They have no choice but to exploit and step on everyone they can as they try and claw their way up that ladder.
 
business reference is a great Idea thanks. anyone know where I can find a free music video contract I see them for sale but I know as I buy it I'll see it for free
 
and Craig your so right about these desktop musicians. they think there big time rappers producing there music on a home pc stock sound card and a computer mic. the thing is all my experience comes from trial and error. it's been a rough path learning as I go especially when ur charging people and u have to fake it n act like u know what your Doing haha sometimes I feel like I'm not to much better than them but i learn as I go. I just hope I'm learning all the right things. anyways I'm pretty much over the rap videos it's just that right now it's the only video project that will pay th only way I know to climb that ladder
 
Try this link:

http://www.aicp.com/images/uploads/SCPA_12-17-07_final.pdf

This contract might give you some ideas as to what to use for you individual circumstance.
I recommend, if you are serious about your business, to pay an attourney or paralegal to draw up a contract for your company. It may not be cheap, but dealing with no contract will be more costly in the end. Also, what kind of clients do you want to deal with, pros or schlubs who will work without a contract (ie: ones who won't pay).

I ALWAYS require 1/3 of initial estimate up front. If they don't want to pay a deposit, they can hire their uncle Ernie to handycam the video for them and edit it on windows movie maker.

~~~ Be professional and you will attract professionals~~~

Jeff
 
thanks jeff greatly apreciated I am looking to getting a contract made but there is such a long list of things before that. but maybe I could squeeeze it in somewhere anyone know the average cost to have this done?
 
craigbowman said:
None of these are the client's fault. They're doing what clients do, looking after their own interests, not yours.

That's why people have contracts, get deposits, write proper business plans, and do all of the other myriad of things required to run an effective business. None of this is personal, its business.

I'm sure if you put together a proper business plan, you'd see almost immediately when doing your market research, producing for startup musicians is a horrible market sector. As a group they have less money than you do. Exceptions to the rule don't have enough frequency to make the market viable. They have no choice but to exploit and step on everyone they can as they try and claw their way up that ladder.
Click to expand...

Yup. I sorta figured that out the hard way! I don't do music videos anymore, no money in indie music videos, and until I can get hired to do label videos it's not worth it. Even then, you don't get rich doing label videos. It's 2010 not 1999, lol. But it would be fun at least, whereas with people offering you a few hundred bucks, it's a joke.

Making a decent music video for less than $3,000 is nearly impossible, even less than $5,000 to $10,000 is very hard. At least, professionally, real crew, nice location, etc. It's just too much hassle!
 
in the end i'd say it good practice for me. I'm no director camera man or any of the sort yet. I just bought an expensive camera and am tryn to make it a business. I really wish I woulda went to school for such a thing instead of taking multimedia at ITT Schmeck
 
I will not do music video any longer. In the salad days of the 90's we made good money at the music video game. As with any business we had to adjust and change with the times. When film was replaced by 24fps video it was the death of profitable music videos. Everyone became an expert and it could be done by anyone. We put that business on the shelf and found a more profitable niche.

The point is, if you can't make a living doing it it is just a hobby. Have fun but don't expect it to feed your family. IMHO
 
Ask him if he can 'afford' it. Take aim at his ego.

Whats his name? Myspace? Website? We can help you trash talk him.
 
hahaha update ok sooo the video Got flagged on YouTube. karma i'm telln you. now he wants me to edit it so it won't be so vulgar. not in this life time he screwed himself. now the only place to watch the video is now threw my website. UpEarlyProductions.com music videos pussy song haha
should I be uploading my video only on my website for more views or on a YouTube account.
 
Man that's a pretty good video and he refused to pay? Mofo hasn't gotten half of what he deserves.

Did you shoot it in front of a cove?

He should pay you first before you uploading it anywhere.
 
I know right I won't make that mistake again i'm just to much of a trusting person it's cool I enjoyed doing the video and it has got me alot of clients but I won't work with him again. It was all low budget. 50$ white backdrop and $10 floodlights but the man hours and driving is what hit me hard.
 
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